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New York Giants 2016 Draft Class Provides Bright Future

By Kenneth Teape

Dec 22, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Giants cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (41) reacts with cornerback Eli Apple (24) after his interception during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 22, 2016; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Giants cornerback Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (41) reacts with cornerback Eli Apple (24) after his interception during the first half against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2016 draft class for the New York Giants provides what looks like a very promising future.

The New York Giants had a pretty successful 2016 season. They won 11 games in the regular season, snapping their four-year playoff drought. Despite a loss to the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in the Wild Card, the future looks bright for the Giants and a big reason for that is the 2016 draft class.

For a team to truly become a juggernaut in the NFL they have to find success in the NFL Draft. That is an area that the Giants have struggled in the past, which is why the roster became so barren. The Giants are hoping to turn that around and the 2016 class should give the team and their fans plenty of excitement.

During the 2016 season, the Giants used rookies a lot more than most NFL teams. According to ESPN Stats and Info, rookies saw 3,480 snaps for the Giants this season and made 49 starts, which ranked fifth and sixth respectively in the NFL. It should be no surprise that the Giants really began picking things up once the youngsters saw expanded roles on the team.

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The Giants look to have hit on their first and second round picks with cornerback Eli Apple and wide receiver Sterling Shepard. Apple had an up-and-down season, which is expected by a young player at cornerback. But, he came on strong as the season went on and flashed some of the talent that made him the No.10 overall pick. He finished the season with 41 tackles, seven passes defended, one interception, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble.

Shepard started every game for the Giants his rookie season. He finished the year with 65 receptions for 683 yards and eight touchdowns. He has taken over the slot role from Victor Cruz and was a go-to guy for Eli Manning in the red zone and when he needed to convert for a first down.

The Giants could have ended with even more snaps and starts by rookies had third round pick, Darian Thompson not gotten injured in Week 2. Thompson was injured against the New Orleans Saints and didn’t return to the field his rookie year. But, he was the starter prior to going down and could have easily added another 10-14 starts and a couple hundred snaps.

Fourth round pick B.J. Goodson became a special teamer for the Giants. He appeared in 15 games for the Giants and has a shot to move up the defensive depth chart in 2017. The Giants even got production from their fifth and sixth round picks, running back Paul Perkins and tight end Jerell Adams.

Perkins was brought upon slowly; he didn’t even see the field Week 1 or Week 2. But, he saw an increased role every game after the bye week. He would set a career-high in five consecutive games to end the regular season.

Perkins was beginning to take over the backfield from veteran Rashad Jennings and should head into 2017 with a bigger role, if not the starting spot. He played in 14 games overall, making one start.

Tight end is another difficult position for rookies to adapt to, but Adams did well when called upon. He played in 13 games, starting two of them. He caught 16 passes for 122 yards and one touchdown. With Larry Donnell falling out of favor, only Will Tye is ahead of Adams on the depth chart.

Adams should be in line for a ton more playing time his sophomore season, especially depending on what the Giants do at fullback. If they do not sign a veteran, they could ask one of their tight ends of masquerade as fullback once again, leading to more playing time.

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Rarely does a draft class produce right off the bat. The Giants received production from every player they selected in 2016, and all six players should have big roles in 2017. That is what you want from a draft class and the Giants have to be very happy about what they have on their hands with their 2016 draft class.

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